11-11-2013, 10:12 PM
I'll keep it relatively short this time. As usual, I forgot to enable replays, so I'll just go from memory.
QUALIFICATION
I got out immediately, and got a low 1:46, not bad for my standards.
At 10 minutes from end of session, I got out again and managed a 1:44.5, lowering my PB by a full second. Still, 12th or 14th pos, IIRC.
Quite happy with the feeling of the car, I relaxed a bit waiting for the race.
RACE 1
Decent start, but while braking for T1, I panicked when I realized I underestimated George slowing down and slammed on the brakes, losing the front, bumping into George Mallis. (Sorry again George) As far as I know, neither me nor George got any serious damage.
As it was my mistake, I waited for George to overtake me, so took it up from last position.
Don't remember much of the rest of the race, except:
- car felt great, and I could drive relatively fast (for me, LOL) without taking risks
- there must have been some accidents ahead, because I could pass a few people easily
- at some point, Edwin said lap 6, I did something that put a wide smile on my face. Overtook Edwin passing him on the inside of the great right hander.
Frankly, I don't know how that happened. If I do it again a hundred times, I'm sure I'm going to crash hard :-) That was one of my greatest simracing moments. I just loved it :-)
- great battles with the "midpack" guys
Last 6-7 laps I had George Mallis ahead of me, but I quickly realized I couldn't hope to get him, he was just faster. Finished in 10th position. I had secretly hoped for something more, but not bad. Maybe if I didn't hit George at Lap1...
RACE 2
Mega-wreck at T1 saw me badly damaged so as I usually do, got to repair + change tyres early, Lap3 I think, planning to do all the rest of the race with same tyres. That's pretty much how it ended. Managed to keep Edwin behind me. At some point Mel was really determined to pass me. He did at T1 with an outer line, while I kept a good fast line, I was prepared to repass him at T2/3, but he overshoot the braking point and got into the grass. I didn't see him again. I saw Nikos instead, a few laps after, stopped after T4 out in the grass. Finished 11th I think?
All in all, Essington is an incredibly fun track, car felt amazing, a bit stiffer setup than needed to be, but gives me more confidence and allows me less mistakes.
I loved these two races, it was a closer fight than usual, even if just for mid-low positions, but IT IS REAL FUN!!
Guys at the top were simply unbelievable, I have given up any hope of staying behind them :-)
Thanks SR4L folks for another great event.
Thanks Edwin for your nice words. Yes, I do appreciate these battles like you do.
Thanks George for not taking it too badly when I kicked you.
Thanks Nikos for encouraging me every time :-)
(if anyone got replays... :-)
QUALIFICATION
I got out immediately, and got a low 1:46, not bad for my standards.
At 10 minutes from end of session, I got out again and managed a 1:44.5, lowering my PB by a full second. Still, 12th or 14th pos, IIRC.
Quite happy with the feeling of the car, I relaxed a bit waiting for the race.
RACE 1
Decent start, but while braking for T1, I panicked when I realized I underestimated George slowing down and slammed on the brakes, losing the front, bumping into George Mallis. (Sorry again George) As far as I know, neither me nor George got any serious damage.
As it was my mistake, I waited for George to overtake me, so took it up from last position.
Don't remember much of the rest of the race, except:
- car felt great, and I could drive relatively fast (for me, LOL) without taking risks
- there must have been some accidents ahead, because I could pass a few people easily
- at some point, Edwin said lap 6, I did something that put a wide smile on my face. Overtook Edwin passing him on the inside of the great right hander.
Frankly, I don't know how that happened. If I do it again a hundred times, I'm sure I'm going to crash hard :-) That was one of my greatest simracing moments. I just loved it :-)
- great battles with the "midpack" guys
Last 6-7 laps I had George Mallis ahead of me, but I quickly realized I couldn't hope to get him, he was just faster. Finished in 10th position. I had secretly hoped for something more, but not bad. Maybe if I didn't hit George at Lap1...
RACE 2
Mega-wreck at T1 saw me badly damaged so as I usually do, got to repair + change tyres early, Lap3 I think, planning to do all the rest of the race with same tyres. That's pretty much how it ended. Managed to keep Edwin behind me. At some point Mel was really determined to pass me. He did at T1 with an outer line, while I kept a good fast line, I was prepared to repass him at T2/3, but he overshoot the braking point and got into the grass. I didn't see him again. I saw Nikos instead, a few laps after, stopped after T4 out in the grass. Finished 11th I think?
All in all, Essington is an incredibly fun track, car felt amazing, a bit stiffer setup than needed to be, but gives me more confidence and allows me less mistakes.
I loved these two races, it was a closer fight than usual, even if just for mid-low positions, but IT IS REAL FUN!!
Guys at the top were simply unbelievable, I have given up any hope of staying behind them :-)
Thanks SR4L folks for another great event.
Thanks Edwin for your nice words. Yes, I do appreciate these battles like you do.
Thanks George for not taking it too badly when I kicked you.
Thanks Nikos for encouraging me every time :-)
(if anyone got replays... :-)